International Airlines Group launches global start-up accelerator

International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of AER Lingus, British Airways and Iberia, has this week launched a global start-up accelerator programme for the aviation industry.

Hangar 51 is looking for start-ups developing “next generation” travel experiences and solutions for the aviation sector; be it through new technology, products and services and collaborative partnerships.

The accelerator will focus on including:

Improving airport processes; such as making customer journeys easier

Developing digital tools and processes to make the business more efficient

Finding new ways for data to increase customer satisfaction and create business value

And a wildcard for ideas that improve the customer experience.

Based at IAG’s London headquarters, the 10-week programme will enable the winning companies to trial their products with IAG and receive mentoring from its senior marketing team alongside funding from the Group and L Marks.

Glenn Morgan, IAG’s head of digital transformation, said: “This brand new programme will bringing cutting edge digital start-ups into the heart of our business. We want them to tell us what we don’t know. If start-ups have something that can be applied to our industry to help our customers then we want to hear from them.”

Stuart Marks, technology entrepreneur and chairman of L Marks, added: “Hangar 51 is offering a fantastic opportunity for start-ups to trial their products and tech within one of the world’s leading aviation companies as well as give them access to the best mentors and an environment where they can develop their ideas.”

Applications for Hangar 51 close at 12pm on November 6 2016. Enter here.